SoxFanForsyth

Luchhino sent out an email and said the Red Sox will be aggressive at the trade deadline, as long as it makes sense. Lucchino always gives out the real plan, whereas the GM, be it Theo or Cherington always hides it. Look at the 2011 offseason. Theo was very hidden about their plans, saying they weren't looking for big players just complimentary, that getting healthy was the biggest thing. Then Lucchino came on the radio and said they were going to make a big trade and make a big signing that offseason. Then the Sox got Gonzo and Crawford. Gotta wonder if Lucchino is thinking Hamels or Grienke. Even Garza would be a big boost.

Good luck YOTN!! Yeah the lineup is about as good as it is going to be for now. But to think a week from now the lineup will be Ellsbury Crawford Pedroia Ortiz Gonzalez Middlebrooks Salty Ross/Sweeney Aviles. So sick.

What a freaking improved lineup over that shitstorm against the Yankees. This team is about to go on a sick run.

In terms of the Crawford situation, I gotta say I agree with you Jung. I'm just ready to say Screw it. Let's just see what happens. I expect him to play at a very high level, so put him out there and see what he can do instead of watching him waste bullets in Pawtucket and Portland.

Well then. Who knows. He says his elbow still hurts, which like a700 says, means he should have been playing left field for about a month now. But alas, he didn't, and we are where we are. Can't change the past. So, go make good on the 2nd half of the season Carl. If your elbow blows out, it blows out. But until that happens, help this team win. That's all we can ask from him for the time being.

Save the line drives for Boston, Carl.

You're wrong Bennan. See how my reply is mocking the format of your initial comment? So, you're wrong, there's really no other way of putting it. Edit: also, you can just go to page 2. I'm not quite sure who you're trying to fool here but it's not going to work.

Well he is probably just taking it a big slow after the groin strain. He wouldn't be out there if he wasnt able to run properly, I wouldn't think.

Ah. I'm on vacation so I don't get NESN. But I did see Brian McPherson said he just didn't get out of the box, like he thought it was going foul, not as in he isn't running well. As for the wide open stance, he is always going to have that. He was just trying to get it back to TB standards, which was slightly more closed than it was last year.

Cherrington said Pedroia should be back right after his 15 day stint is up. Pedey took BP today, hit a few into the seats in TB. His DL stint is over on the 20th, so it wouldn't surprise me to see him back that weekend for the Blue Jays series.

Based on what??

Peter Gammons reporting that an NL GM called Cherrington about Lester and was told 'we are in it to win it in 2012' so he's not going anywhere, at least not this season.

Yeah, a lot like HanRam. HanRam and ARod were supposed to be too big to play SS too. Usually the move is made around late 20s, 27-28 timeframe. He's got plenty of time to prove he doesn't need to move. And if they do move him before hand, he can play a corner OF spot as well.

I love boobs, so I don't see the negative connotation involved when calling him Ben the Boob.

More likely Doubront and Morales/Cook/Acquisition X (Garza?)

So let's say that Lester and Beckett return and throw consistent with their FIP's. And Buchholz continues to throw to his 3.35 era like he had for his past 8 starts. Those aren't outrageous projections by any means. You are telling me that you are so against this teams chances that you wouldnt want Crawford to be in LF in the event that we have a 1 game playoff against, say, the Angels? Or are you so sold on the fact that a 2.5 game deficit is just an unbearable amount of games to overcome? Do you truly think that with Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Crawford at the top of the order, the Orioles, Tigers, A's, Rays, and Angels are so much better that the Sox can't pick up 2 or 3 games on them? Now, I assume you agree that this team is capable of making a WC slot, but you don't like the odds of winning a WC game because of our pitchers. Well, let's take another look at how Crawford does against other teams aces. Angels: Weaver: .333/.333/.600 Tigers: Verlander: .310/.310/.310 Guardians: Masterson: .267/.333/.667 Rays: Price: 0-9 Orioles: Not gonna happen, but Crawford hasn't faced Hammel. Point being, if the Sox make the 2nd wild card, there's a very good chance that Crawford can play a big role in that WC game. So why the heck wouldn't we wait and at least give our best shot to win this year? Because you want Crawford to be back in January?!? That makes zero sense.

I like the match ups in games 1 and 3. Both Hellickson and Shields had complete fluke seasons last season which were fueled by a ridiculous BABIP and strand rate. Shields: .258 BABIP, 79.6% strand rate Hellickson: .219 BABIP, 82% strand rate. He's still got a .255 BABIP and an 83% strand rate this year, and his era ballooned by .46 points already. And he is still due for regression. Hopefully Buchholz is on target. Game 2 will be tough.

Guys. Do you think w may be a bit premature on this whole Lester's demise? 1. He has the best k:bb ratio (3.13) since 2009. He is striking out less, but he is also walking way less. 2. He has not missed a single start this year. He has thrown 112 innings and is on pace for another 200+ inning campaign. 3. The Red Sox are 2-4 in games which Lester has allowed 2 ER or less this year, and one of those was a 1-0 win over the ChiSox. Yes he has been bad a lot, but when he has been electric, he is still losing. So quoting the Red Sox record when he's pitched is not exactly a good measurement. I mean, the Sox were 3-3 in Buchholz's first 6 starts. Was he a better pitcher than Lester? Hm. He had a 9.09 era in those starts. 4. Lester's FIP of 3.57 is the best indicator that he will turn it around. It bases a pitchers performance on things he can control, ie strikeouts, walks, and homeruns. It's a much better indicator of future performance than era over 18 starts.

I'm all for trading Lester if we can get someone like Justin Upton in return, and trade for an elite SP using Ellsbury this offseason. But unless we get that type of deal done, keep Lester. He may be unhappy right now but so is about everyone else on that team. Know why? Because 1. The media is a bunch of ruthless *******s who just stir up ******** (see: Buchholz goes to pool party) and 2. The team is playing like s***. If the Sox come out and play like they are capable in the 2nd half, everyone will be happy. Winning cures all.

First off, you have him for a year and a half. Second, you sign him to 5/82mm. Third, you eat a bit of Becketts salary and get rid of him this offseason, and Garza slides into his place. It's not a rental, this would be a long term signing after the trade.

Ok. Good. The top 3 need to throw better. Know why I think they will? Lester: 4.49 era, 3.57 FIP Beckett: 4.43 era, 3.69 FIP Buchholz: 3.35 era in last 8 starts. FIP is a very good indicator of future performance. And Buch is trending in the right direction. It's a shame that your negativity gets in the way of objectivity.

Ellsbury for Lincecum, anyone?